|
| |
MANU NATIONAL PARK RESERVED ZONE PROGRAM
Manu National Park, located in southeastern Peru, is one of the largest
parks in South America. The area of the park encompasses parts of the
Andean department of Cusco and the jungle department of Madre de Dios.
Manu protects over 2 million hectares (4.5 million acres) of territory
rich in flora and fauna species in a variety of habitats including high
Andes, cloud forests, and lowland tropical rain forests.
UNESCO officially recognizes this natural paradise as a world heritage
site. In 1977 they designated Manu as a World Biosphere Reserve because
it contains the best existing example of biodiversity in protected areas
of rain forest, as well as endemic areas of cloud forest.
Humans have altered the majority of forests in the world. Fortunately,
Manu has remained intact and untouched by civilization. Thus, we can
observe a variety of animals in their natural habitats, including: Giant
Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger), the
majestic Jaguar (Panthera onca), the strange Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos
ornatus), the Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the Ocelot (Felis pardalis),
13 species of primates, and an estimated one thousand species of birds
including seven species of Macaws (Ara sp.).
Manu also contains 10% of the world’s vascular plant species, including
several species of figs and palms, as well as countless species of
medicinal plants that scientists are currently cataloguing. A single
hectare of forest in Manu can have up to 220 species of trees, while a
hectare of temperate forest in Europe or North America may only have 20
tree species.
THE MANU EXPLORER
ITINERARY
|
Price per person:
Prices per person in double accommodation.
(Minimum two passengers) Reduced rates
available for bookings of 5 or more people.
|
|
|
|
Day 1: Cuzco/Manu Cloud forest (Saturday)
Depart Cusco in our private, custom-designed expedition bus/van
with reclining seats and extra legroom and drive all day through
all elevated in our private, 11000-acre (4,400-hectare) cloud
forest in Peru. The bus stops frequently during the trip to
permit visits to small Andean towns and exploration of the
incredible range of cloud forest habitats. (L, D ). This
varied and fascinating world is home of the Cock of the Rock,
the Spectacled Bear, Orchids, Tree Ferns (one of the oldest
living plants), mosses and lichens. This cloud forest exists
between 2000 and 3500 meters above sea level, and at least 50%
of the plant species found here are endemic to this region. |
|
|
|
Day 2: Manu Cloud forest/Boca Manu (sunday)
Observe Cocks-of-the-Rock displaying and calling at down, and
the enjoy breakfast back at the lodge. Explore the cool, moist,
mosquito-free cloud forest and search for the confiding Brown
Capuchin Monkeys. Travel by bus for 2-3 more hours to the
riverside hamlet of Atalaya, where we board our motor canoes to
travel down the Alto Madre de Dios River towards the mouth of
the Manu River. Depending on the road and river conditions on
this day, we either sleep in a simple tented camp (with small
tents) or in a rustic local lodge near the mouth of the Manu
River. (B,L,D). |
|
Day 3: Boca Manu/Manu wildlife Tented camps at park (Monday)
Dawn in the forest or on the riverbank, and the travel by motor
canoe up the Manu River for 5-6 hours to the Wildlife Tented
Camp near Cocha Salvador. (B,L,D). |
|
|
|
Days 4 Manu National Park (Tuesday)
Visit Cocha Salvador and take a canoe or catamaran outing on the
lake to observe birds and to search for Giant Otters. Also walk
trails through different forest types, with excellent chances to
observe monkeys. (B,L,D). |
|
Day 5 Manu National Park (Wednesday)
Short motorcanoe ride on the Manu River to the trail head for
Cocha Otorongo, walk the trails at Cocha Otorongo to search for
Woolly Monkeys (the best place to see them in the Manu lowlands),
climb a 50-foot (17m), metal tower to the mid-canopy, and return
to Wildlife Tented Camp for the night. (B,L,D). |
|
|
|
Day 6 Manu National park/Boca Manu/Cusco (Thursday)
Leave very early to motor down the Manu River and catch the
filght to Cusco. Transfer to your hotel in Cusco. (B).
|
-
RECOMMENDED TWO-NIGHT EXTENSION TO VISIT MACAW CLAY LICK, TAPIR CLAY
LICK, AND CANOPY PLATFORM
For
those who wish to extend their stay to visit the macaw clay lick,
tapir clay lick, 120-foot-high (35m-high) canopy platforms and
nature oxbow lakes near Manu Wildlife Center, we recommend that you
boat down the Madre de Dios River and spend two nights at Manu
Wildlife Center with full board. This two-night extension could be
done just after our “Manu Adventure” itinerary. Post-trip extensions
start at the Manu Landing Strip on Thursday and end on Saturday.
|
Cusco &
Machupicchu 
.jpg)
